Seamless codec switching

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments, a corpus of codecs may be correlated with different, partially overlapping ranges of transmission characteristics. As channel conditions degrade or improve, the system may select a new codec with which to continue the connection based upon the corresponding overlapping range. Codecs may not be switched immediately when the transmission characteristics enter overlapping ranges, to avoid degrading the user&#39;s experience. If the characteristics remain in the overlap, or manifest a likely progression toward another region, then the transition may be effected.

BACKGROUND

Users of modern telecommunications systems demand reliable and efficientmultimedia communication across networks of varying quality andbandwidth. For example, during a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)connection, users expect a low-latency, high fidelity interactionsatisfying their personal preferences. Factors such as the selection ofthe audio and/or video codecs by the system, the manner in which VOIPcommunications traverse the network, and the handling of ancillaryfeatures, such as “comfort noise,” may all impact the end userexperience. Comfort noise is synthetically generated background noiseused in digital communications to replace silence. Orchestrating thesevarious factors to achieve a suitable user experience may be beyond thecapabilities of the user and/or manufacturers of devices that arepresently used in these telecommunications systems.

VOIP systems employ session control and signaling protocols to controlthe signaling, set-up, and tear-down of calls. These protocols mayspecify different codecs to achieve different functions and levels ofquality. Unfortunately, this protocol and codec diversity may not serveto maintain quality across disparate geographic regions andtelecommunication systems. Networks grow and contract dynamically andconfigurations suitable for conditions at one time and place may beunsuitable at another time and place. This may be particularly true forlong distance traffic, where the number of variables increases.

A receiving VOIP device re-sequences IP packets that arrive out of orderand compensates for packets arriving too late or not at all. Rapid andunpredictable changes in queue lengths may result along a given Internetpath due to competition from other users for the same transmissionlinks. Consequently, a static VOIP protocol and system may fail to adaptsufficiently within a desired interval or may fail to adapt at all.Systems and methods to address bottlenecks and unforeseeablecontingencies are desired to improve the VOIP experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The techniques introduced here may be better understood by referring tothe following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example packet-traversaltopology between various network devices as may occur in someembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a variable-size composite packet format andits construction as may be implemented in some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating frame switching using a variablesize packet format as may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is flow diagram illustrating a process for generating a compositepacket as may be used in some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving a single payload with a Bandwidth Extension (BWE) index andinformation bits as may be used in some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving two payloads with BWE index and information bits as may be usedin some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving a single payload with BWE index, information bits, and Round-Tripdelay-Time (RTT) information as may be used in some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving two payloads with a BWE index, information bits, and RTTinformation as may be used in some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving a main and Forward Error Correction (FEC) payload with BWE index,information bits, and RTT information as may be used in someembodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for including comfortnoise with a data communication event as may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example processing topologyfor selecting a codec as may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of initial codecselection and call handling as may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram depiction of an example method of multimediacommunication as may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram depiction of an example method of multimediacommunication;

FIG. 15 shows an example codec selection process as a function ofavailable bitrate;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a transmitter-side protocol stack;

FIG. 17 shows an example of a receiver-side protocol stack;

FIG. 18 shows an example flowchart of a data transmission method;

FIG. 19 shows an example of a packet transmission apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for performingnoise level adjustments across multiple devices as may be implemented insome embodiments;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example topology betweenvarious feature sets impacting a parameter configuration determinationas may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example topology forassessing, optimizing, and performing a communication as may occur insome embodiments;

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for generatinga preliminary configuration based upon a feature topology as may occurin some embodiments;

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for training apreference machine learning system as may occur in some embodiments;

FIG. 25 shows an example of codec switching performed by a communicationdevice.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a lookup table stored in a communicationdevice.

FIG. 27 shows an example flowchart for a method of transmitting mediapackets.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a two-codec switching performed by a mediacommunication device.

FIG. 29 shows an example flowchart of a method of receiving mediapackets in which the encoding codec is switched over a period of time;and

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a computer system as may be used toimplement features of some of the embodiments.

While the flow and sequence diagrams presented herein show anorganization designed to make them more comprehensible by a humanreader, those skilled in the art will appreciate that actual datastructures used to store this information may differ from what is shown,in that they, for example, may be organized in a different manner; maycontain more or less information than shown; may be compressed and/orencrypted; etc.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do notnecessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments.Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Forexample, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may beexpanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of theembodiments. Similarly, some components and/or operations may beseparated into different blocks or combined into a single block for thepurposes of discussion of some of the embodiments. Moreover, while thevarious embodiments are amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and are described in detail below. Theintention, however, is not to limit the particular embodimentsdescribed. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope ofthe disclosed embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various of the disclosed embodiments enable managing and augmenting“comfort noise” during a network call, such as a Voice Over InternetProtocol (VOIP) connection. Particularly, traditional systems typicallysend machine-generated comfort noise, or a command to generate comfortnoise at the recipient, on a channel separate from the conversationcontent. Some embodiments reduce this overhead by embedding the comfortnoise in the media stream. In other embodiments, audio encoding isstopped at the source when the speaker falls silent and the recipient,after detecting the cessation, will generate white noise at its end.These approaches may be used in conjunction with a determination of theavailable bandwidth and channel parameters.

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve the initial codec selectionin a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection. Particularly,rather than select an initial codec for the connection arbitrarily orbased on data measured during the connection, embodiments analyzeattributes of data exchanged prior to connection establishment toidentify the appropriate initial codec. Attributes of the offer messagetransmission and acknowledgement may be used to infer channel quality.Signal strength, the existence of a WiFi connection, previous codecsused, etc., may also be taken into consideration. Latency measurementsmay be used as a proxy for measuring available bandwidth. Based on thesefactors, a codec having appropriate attributes may be selected.Traditional rate shaping methods may be applied subsequent to theinitial codec selection.

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve encoding during a networkcall, such as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection, byadjusting the size of a data communications packet (“packet”).Particularly, given a corpus of codecs with which to encode data, theembodiments may identify a packet size based upon a common multiple ofeach codec's minimum raw data size. The packet size may be selected toaccommodate the inclusion of data encoded in each codec format, as wellas error correction code data, and codec transition commands. The packetsize may be tailored to trade off measured latency and data efficiency.

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve audio and video quality ina Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection that includes bothaudio and video. Particularly, different audio and video codecs may beused and parameters assigned based upon the context in which thecommunication occurs. For example, audio quality may take precedenceover video quality when discussing a matter in a chatroom. Conversely,video quality may take precedence over audio quality when playing acollaborative video game. VP9 may be used to encode video while acombination of, e.g., Internet Speech Audio Codec (ISAC) and SPEEX maybe used to encode audio. Bandwidth determinations for each channel mayalso influence the respective codec selections.

Various of the disclosed embodiments reduce the impact of Real-timeTransport Control Protocol (RTCP) overhead by including RTCP informationin media packets themselves. The RTCP header information values may beselected based on the context and organized in a unique format fortransport in the media packets. For example, RTT, packet loss, andbandwidth estimates may dictate when and how RTCP data is moved into themedia packet. An interface may be provided for extracting the data sothat clients may easily integrate the embodiments with existingRTCP-based systems. Inclusion of the RTCP information in the mediapacket may increase the media packet size, which may be anticipated andaccounted for in bandwidth assessments and accommodations.

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve encoding during a networkcall, such as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection, bycorrelating various contextual parameters from previous calls, withappropriate settings for a current call. For example, the system maytake note of the model of cell phone used during a communication, thecarrier, the presence or absence of a WiFi connection, the user ratingfor call quality, the codecs employed, etc. During a subsequent call,the system may compare these past calling parameters with the currentsituation, and may select call settings (e.g., codec selections) basedthereon. Machine learning methods may be applied using the past data toinform the selection of the settings for the present call.

In various embodiments, a corpus of codecs may be correlated withdifferent, partially overlapping ranges of transmission characteristics.As channel conditions degrade or improve, the system may select a newcodec with which to continue the connection based upon the correspondingpotentially overlapping range. Codecs may not be switched immediatelywhen the transmission characteristics enter overlapping ranges, to avoiddegrading the user's experience. If the characteristics remain in theoverlap, or manifest a likely progression toward another region, thenthe transition may be effected.

Various examples of the disclosed techniques will now be described infurther detail. The following description provides specific details fora thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. Oneskilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that thetechniques discussed herein may be practiced without many of thesedetails. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understandthat the techniques can include many other obvious features notdescribed in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures orfunctions may not be shown or described in detail below, so as to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadestreasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with adetailed description of certain specific examples of the embodiments.Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, anyterminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will beovertly and specifically defined as such in this section.

Overview—Example Network Topology

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example packet-traversaltopology between various network devices as may occur in someembodiments. Users may wish to converse with one another, e.g., using aVOIP communication protocol. In some instances, the users may initiate adirect connection. For example, user 105 b may communicate directly withuser 105 c via a direct, ad hoc connection 150 a, 150 b. In otherinstances, the users may wish to converse across a network 155 ofdevices.

The network 155 may be a cellular network, the Internet, a local areanetwork, etc. For example, the network 155 may include cellular towers115 a, intermediary devices 125, such as relays, and various otherintermediary nodes 135. Packets may traverse the network from/to user105 a to/from user 105 c and from/to user 105 c to/from user 105 b.Bandwidth and resource availability may be determined at each outgoinginterconnection 110 a, 120 a, 130 a, 140 a, 145 a and at each incominginterconnection 110 b, 120 b, 130 b, 140 b, 145 b.

Variable Packet Size

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve encoding during a networkconnection, such as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) call, byadjusting the size of a data communications packet (“packet”).Particularly, given a corpus of codecs with which to encode data, theembodiments may identify a packet size based upon a common multiple ofthe codecs' minimum raw data sizes. The packet size may be selected toaccommodate the inclusion of data encoded in any of the codec's formats,as well as error correction code data, and codec transition commands.The packet size may be tailored to trade off measured latency and dataefficiency. The bandwidth estimate may affect, e.g.: 1) the packet size;2) which codec(s) is/are applied; 3) the bitrate of the appliedcodec(s), etc. Latency may be used as a proxy for bandwidth in someembodiments.

Many prior art voice and video encoding systems place a preset amount ofdata into each packet. For example, a first codec may encode 20 ms ofvoice data in a single packet. When that packet arrives, 20 ms of audiois played out, and for each 20 ms of audio data (e.g., each 20 ms thatsomeone speaks), a new packet is sent. Various embodiments insteadpackage different amounts of data into packets based, e.g., on networkconditions. This variable size packaging can reduce overhead, decreaseoverall bandwidth usage, and optimize overall audio and/or videoquality, providing flexible levels of delivery under different channelconditions. Unlike rate shaping technologies, such as variable bitrateencoding and lossy encoding schemes, which trade off data accuracy fordata size, various of the disclosed approaches may trade off networklatency for data size.

For example, a codec may choose to encode 1000 ms of data in eachpacket. This may increase perceived latency, but may also reduce thenumber of packets sent by, e.g., 34 times. Even though this approach maygenerate an additional overhead of 400 bits, the net data savings may benearly 19600 bits. The SPEEX audio codec can encode one second of speechin as little as 500 bytes. Thus the overhead in the example 20 ms packetcase may be nearly 40 times larger than the audio data itself. Byincreasing the amount of audio placed into a window (e.g., the amount oftime used for encoding), the bandwidth consumption may be decreased inlow-bandwidth scenarios by 30-40×.

Some embodiments may tune the size of the window (e.g., a buffer in theencoder/decoder) to trade off a measured latency for data efficiency.For example, some embodiments may measure the round-trip-time (RTT) formedia packets and set a maximum latency limit, such that RTT/2+AddedLatency=Limit (where “Added Latency” refers, e.g., to latency from thebuffer). In such a case, the system may satisfy latency requirementswhile consuming the least bandwidth possible. This may decrease userdata usage but maintain an acceptable user experience.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a variable-size composite packet format andits construction as may be implemented in some embodiments.Particularly, a system operating at a user device may receive audio 205via a microphone input at the user device. Depending on variousconditions and parameters (e.g., available bandwidth, user-preferredquality settings, character of the communication, etc.) the system maydecide to switch from a first codec to a second codec. For example,having encoded a portion of the audio 205 using a SPEEX encoder 255, thesystem may decide to subsequently encode the remaining audio using theInternet Speech Audio Codec (ISAC) encoder 260. The transition may bereflected in the variable character of a packet format. The system mayalso encode the same portion of audio in each of the available formats(e.g., SPEEX and ISAC) to facilitate decoding diversity at the receivingdevice (e.g., based upon the receiving device's processing bandwidth).

Thus, the system may originally extract 225 audio in preparation forSPEEX 250 encoding. For purposes of explanation, this data may beorganized into sets of 20 byte data 270 a-c (one will recognize that thebyte breakdown in an actual system may be different). This data 270 a-cmay then be encoded 230 via a SPEEX encoder 255 before being inserted235 into a composite packet structure 240. Simultaneously, or in serial,the system may encode the same or a different portion of the audio 205,using a second codec, e.g., the ISAC codec. The system may extract 210audio in preparation for ISAC 245 encoding. For purposes of explanation,this data may be organized into sets of, e.g., 30 byte data sets 265 a,265 b. This data 265 a, 265 b may then be encoded 215 via an ISACencoder 260 before being inserted 220 into a composite packet structure240.

For purposes of explanation, the sequential content of the compositepacket structure 240 is here depicted in left to right, top to bottomorder (i.e., “SPX, 20, 20, 20, ISAC, 30, 30, comfort noise, etc.”). Thebyte sequences labeled “SPX” and “ISAC” may inform a receiving device ofthe change in encoding format within the packet. For example, these bytesequences may indicate the character of subsequently stored bytes.

To facilitate integration of differently sized encoded byte sequencesinto a single packet, the system may anticipate the differences in theencoding types and their byte lengths. In this example, one encodingtype presents 20-byte long segments of data while the other encodingtype presents 30-byte long segments. The system may determine the lowestcommon shared multiple of these segment lengths (e.g., three 20-bytelong segments share the same 60-byte footprint as two 30-byte longsegments). In this example, the composite packet structure 240 may besuch that successive 60-byte segments may be accommodated. Thus, in someembodiments, the composite packet may have all segments of one encoding,all segments of the other encoding, or a mixture (e.g., FIG. 2 reflectsa composite mixture). Thus, a fixed packet size may be used containing a60-byte multiple to facilitate compression during transmission in thisexample.

Thus, some embodiments allow one to change a number of audio framespacked into single RTP packet during a call. The number of audio framesmay depend upon the estimated available bandwidth. The number of audioframes may be independent of the coding of frames with different codecsin some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating frame switching using a variablesized packet format as may occur in some embodiments. A delay, reflectedby the period between time 315 a and time 315 b may be inserted betweenthe encoding of successive frames 305 and 310. They delay may facilitatetransitions between encoding types.

In some embodiments, a variable length, composite packet may include,e.g.: an ISPX RTP payload beginning with a payload version; a singlepayload with BWE index and information bits; two payloads with a BWEindex and information bits; a single payload with a BWE index,information bits and RTT info; and two payloads with BWE index,information bits and RTT information.

Examples of codecs represented by a 2 bit ID that may be used include:ISAC, SPEEX, ISAC FEC, SPEEX FEC, etc. The RTP frame may include one ortwo codec fragments: SPEEX and ISAC or SPEEX/ISAC and FEC. In someembodiments, ISAC is always the second payload in the RTPframe/composite packet if two payloads are present.

In some embodiments, individual fragments do not have their owntimestamps and may be assumed to be incremental to the RTP frametimestamp. In some embodiments, when several frames are aggregated intoone payload for the RTP frame/composite packet it may be unclear how todetect the end of a frame and the beginning of the next frame. Paddinginserted intermittently into the payload to test for more availablebandwidth may complicate this issue. The recipient's decoder may knowhow to detect the end of an actual frame, but not the end of theappended padding. Various embodiments solve this problem in differentways for different encoding methodologies, e.g., SPEEX and for ISAC.

With regard to SPEEX, the system may ensure that the first bit of eachframe of the RTP frame/composite packet is 1 (or any suitabledistinguishing pattern). By making sure that all padding bits are 0 (oranything other than the pre-determined distinguishing pattern), thesystem may scan for the first 1 after the decoded frame (or the end ofthe payload), thereby finding the beginning of the next frame (as wellas the padded length of each frame for BWE).

With regard to ISAC, it may not be possible to ensure that the firstbit/byte of the payload, or indeed any of the bits or bytes, is nonzero.Unmodified ISAC may rely on each RTP packet containing only one ISACframe and may consider all the bytes after the first frame to bepadding. As a safety mechanism, some embodiments may encode the size ofthe non-data portion into the first byte of the padding (if such paddingexists). Therefore, the missing information may only include whether thepadding exists or not. But the existence of the padding may be inferredfrom whether the number of bytes used for decoding is less than the sizeof the RTP payload. The location, and number, of these bits may changeaccording to the desired configuration. When there's only one payload,two bits may be used for padding information. The third frame's paddingstate may be inferred from whether or not there are any bits left afterthe third frame has been decoded (one will recognize that similarpadding patterns may apply for different numbers of frames).

FIG. 4 is flow diagram illustrating a process for generating a compositepacket as may be used in some embodiments. Though example numbers ofbits are provided for purposes of explanation in this example, one willrecognize that alternative numbers of bits may be used. Similarly,though SPEEX and ISAC are depicted, one will recognize that alternativeencoders may be applied. At block 405, the system may determine if thefirst payload to be inserted into the composite packet is SPEEX data. Ifso, the system may recognize the first payload frame to include fourbits in the first payload frame at block 410 and no padding may beapplied at block 415.

At block 420, the system may then determine if the second payload isISAC data. If so, a three bit wide padding may be applied at block 425,and one bit set aside at block 430. Conversely, if the second payload isnot ISAC (e.g., where both payloads are SPEEX data), no padding may beapplied at block 435 and four bits may be reserved at block 440.

Where the first payload is not SPEEX data, e.g., where it is ISAC data,at block 405, the system may record the number of frames in the payloadat block 445. The first payload frame may be recognized as two bits wideat block 450 and the first padding may be recognized as three bits wideat block 455. If the second payload is identified as being ISAC at block460, the system may set the second padding to be three bits wide atblock 465. Conversely, if the second payload is identified as not beingISAC (e.g., where it is SPEEX), then the second padding may not bepresent as indicated at block 470 and three bits may be reserved atblock 475. In this manner, the pattern structure may facilitate a readydetermination of the padding's character.

FIG. 5 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving a single payload with BWE index and information bits as may beused in some embodiments. In these examples, the codec independent BWEindex is seven bits in length. The term “Ji” may refer to the jitter bit(reflecting packet jitter). “Si” may refer to the Silence bit. TheSilence bit may be active only if all of the frames are silent and maybe inactive if at least one frame isn't silent. “FE” and “FEC” may referto the forward error correction bit(s).

FIG. 6 is a packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packethaving two payloads with BWE index and information bits as may be usedin some embodiments. FIG. 7 is a packet diagram illustrating portions ofan example packet having a single payload with a BWE index, informationbits, and RTT information as may be used in some embodiments. FIG. 8 isa packet diagram illustrating portions of an example packet having twopayloads with a BWE index, information bits, and RTT information as maybe used in some embodiments. FIG. 9 is a packet diagram illustratingportions of an example packet having a main and FEC payload with BWEindex, information bits, and RTT information as may be used in someembodiments.

Comfort Noise Handling

Various of the disclosed embodiments enable managing and augmenting“comfort noise” during a network call, such as a Voice Over InternetProtocol (VOIP) connection. Particularly, traditional systems typicallysend machine-generated comfort noise, or a command to generate comfortnoise at a recipient device, on a channel separate from the channelcarrying the call's conversation content. Some embodiments reduce thisoverhead by embedding the comfort noise in the media stream or channelcarrying the conversation content. In other embodiments, audio encodingis stopped at the source when the speaker (or other sound source) fallssilent and the recipient, after detecting the cessation, generates whitenoise at its end. These approaches may be used in conjunction with adetermination of the available bandwidth and channel parameters at anyor all of the client devices involved in the network call.

Many conversations may include considerable amounts of time when, forexample, neither individual speaks. During these periods of “silence”,residual ambient sound may still be received at a non-speaking userdevice's microphone. Constant bitrate codecs may encode this data andtransmit it, consuming bandwidth for data that generally need not betransmitted for the conversation to be understood. Users may bedisconcerted if such ambient noise is simply replaced with completesilence. For example, complete silence may imply the connection has gonedead. Thus, e.g., the transmission of the amplified ambient recording,machine-generated pink noise, or a command to generate pink noise at thereceiver end, may be employed.

In many prior art systems, these comfort noise packets (containingcomfort noise or a command to generate comfort noise) are sentindependently from the media stream. This independent transmission mayadd overhead and create a disjointed user experience. Variousembodiments address this problem in at least two manners. First, someembodiments embed the comfort noise into the media stream itself, whichdecreases the per-packet overhead and may make the system more effectivein low-bandwidth environments. In some embodiments, a single packet caninclude both audio data and also the comfort noise embedded within it(the packet may be adaptive in size as described in greater detailherein). Second, in some embodiments the source user device may activelystop encoding audio. The receiving user device may detect this silenceand play comfort noise to its user in response. This may require evenfewer packets and even less signaling traffic.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for including comfortnoise with a data communication event as may occur in some embodiments.The process 1000 may be run on a source user device sending data to areceiving user device. At block 1005, the system on the source userdevice may determine a noise level for the comfort noise. For example,the system may measure the quiescent signal received from an input atthe user device when the user is not speaking.

At block 1010, the system may determine a duration at which comfortnoise is to be generated or recorded. For example, the comfort noise maybe transmitted or generated repeatedly at the source and/or receivinguser device. The duration determination at block 1010 may determine theperiod of the comfort noise segment. The determination may be based uponthe available bandwidth, the character of the comfort noise, userpreferences, etc.

At block 1015, the system at the source user device may assess thebandwidth of the channel between the source and receiving user devices.As discussed above, latency may be a proxy for bandwidth. One willrecognize that any suitable measure of bandwidth or an approximation ofbandwidth may be used in various embodiments. Thus, at block 1015 thesystem may consider, e.g., the latency of previously transmittedpackets.

While bandwidth may also be used to determine the character of thecomfort noise at block 1005 and the duration at block 1010, it may alsobe used to determine the nature of the comfort noise's generation atblock 1020. Particularly, at block 1020, the system may determine, e.g.,whether the bandwidth exceeds a threshold. If so, the system maydetermine that generating the comfort noise locally and inserting itinto a packet for transmission to the receiving device at block 1030 isthe most appropriate action. This may relieve the receiving device ofthe processing burden of producing comfort noise using its own localresources and may instead impose a bandwidth burden on the transmissionmedium and a processing burden on the source device. The processingburden on the source device may be minimal where the comfort noise isgenerated using ambient noise recorded in real-time. The comfort noise,when generated at the source device, may be encoded in a standard audiopacket and placed in succession with other packets carrying recordeduser audio onto the media stream.

In contrast, when there is not sufficient bandwidth, e.g. as determinedby some dynamic or pre-determined threshold, the system may determine atblock 1020 that it is more efficient to impose the burden of generatingthe comfort noise upon the receiver user device at block 1025. A packetsent by the source device to the receiver device may contain a header,or portion of the packet's content, designated for indicating when thereceiver device is to generate comfort noise, as well as the parametersfor the comfort noise's generation. When the comfort noise is generatedlocally at the receiver device, the receiver may incorporate thereceiving user's preferences during the generation.

Codec Selection

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve the initial codec selectionin a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection. Particularly,rather than select an initial codec for the connection arbitrarily orbased on data measured during the connection, embodiments analyzeattributes of data exchanged prior to connection establishment toidentify the appropriate initial codec. An “offer message” may initiatethe call between sender and receiver. Attributes of the offer messagetransmission and acknowledgement may be used to infer channel quality.Signal strength, the existence of a WiFi connection, previous codecsused, etc., may also be taken into consideration. Latency measurementsmay be used as a proxy for measuring available bandwidth. Based on thesefactors, a codec having appropriate attributes may be selected.Traditional rate shaping methods may be applied subsequent to theinitial codec selection.

Some prior art systems may arbitrarily select an initial codec for theconnection (e.g., a default codec). Once the communication begins, thesesystems may assess whether the codec is suitable, or if another codecshould be substituted. However, this approach often results in asuboptimal codec handling the initial portion of the call. The initialportion of the call may include very important introductorycommunications (e.g., a caller may establish the context or purpose ofthe call in the initial moments). Other prior art systems may attempt todynamically select a more appropriate codec during the connection. Whilethis may improve the call later during the connection, it does little tosolve the problem of initially selecting a proper codec for initial use.

Accordingly, some embodiments consider attributes of data exchangedprior to connection establishment to infer the appropriate initialcodec. For example, the latency of the offer message transmission andacknowledgement for establishing the connection may be used to inferchannel quality. The latency may be used as a proxy by which to inferthe available bandwidth. For example, high latency networks (e.g., asdetermined from an RTT assessment) may imply low bandwidth, etc. Signalstrength, the existence of a WiFi connection, previous codecs used,etc., may also be taken into consideration. Other factors considered mayinclude, e.g.: the time taken to connect to a signaling channel; chatmessage latencies; the user device's connectivity state; the historicusage of the user device; user ratings; a number of lost packets; and,server mined data on calls made by other users on similar devices or insimilar network conditions. Based on some or all of these factors, acodec having appropriate attributes may be selected. Traditional rateshaping methods may be applied subsequent to the initial codecselection.

Various embodiments may use a non-media packet, referred to herein asthe “offer” or “proposal”, which may be sent from one user's device toanother user's device, to infer which codec should be used. An offerthat takes a relatively long time to arrive at the receiving user device(as controlled for factors such as network hops, etc.) may imply thatthere is low bandwidth available and that a lower bandwidth codecconfiguration should be applied for at least an initial portion of thecall. Conversely, if the offer is delivered quickly, a higher bandwidthcodec configuration may be used.

By assessing conditions prior to the initial codec selection, the systemmay achieve a better initial connection and reduce the time to arrive ata stable connection to only seconds or milliseconds. Traditional rateshaping may still be applied following the initial codec selection, butthe initial call is more likely to be established in high trafficenvironments, rather than being dropped in view of the limitedbandwidth.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example processing topologyfor selecting a codec as may occur in some embodiments. A variety ofinputs 1105 a-c, including, e.g., the latency of the offer packet, thelocations of the user devices, the preferences of the users (such as theminimum acceptable quality), etc. may be provided to the codec selector1110. The codec selector 1110 may reference a multidimensional space1130 reflecting a codec assignment for different collections of inputvalues. Though visually depicted here in two dimensions to facilitateunderstanding, one will recognize that the actual system may includemany more dimensions. One or more codecs may be assigned to each ofregions 1120 a-d. The incoming data inputs 1105 a-c may be used todetermine a corresponding position 1125 in the multidimensional space.Here, the initial codec 1115 may be selected from the one or more codecsassociated with the region 1120 c.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of initial codecselection and call handling as may occur in some embodiments. At block1205, the system operating on one or more user client devices and/or ata server may assess the pre-call, non-media parameters. For example, thesystem may gather input data regarding the preferences of the users, thelatency of past communications, etc.

At block 1210, a source user device may transmit an offer message to thereceiving user device to initiate the call. The receiving user devicemay provide a response, reflecting the round-trip time taken to receivethe packet (e.g., the difference between the time at which an offer wassent and an acknowledgment was received). At block 1215, the source userdevice may include the round trip time in its assessment.

At block 1220, the source device may select an appropriate codec basedupon the input information and may begin the call. At block 1225, thesystem may determine whether the call conditions reflect that a newcodec assignment is to be made, and if so, at block 1230, the codecconfiguration may be adjusted. Where the system is consistentlyadjusting the codec once the call is initiated, or where the call isbeing consistently dropped shortly after initiation, the system may makea record for subsequent consideration at block 1205 in a subsequentcall. This record may avoid repeated selection of an initial codec thatis not appropriate given unseen (and/or unknowable) characteristics ofthe communication space. At blocks 1245 and 1250 the system may alsoconsider whether features should be supplemented or removed (note thatthis may occur before the call conditions are assessed for codecreassignment in some embodiments, to economize the codec analysis). Forexample, where the channel quality has degraded, the system may removevideo support, so that at least audio communication may continue at anacceptable level. When conditions improve, the video support may berejoined (in some embodiments video, or other features, rather thanaudio may be preserved).

At block 1235, the system may determine if the call is complete. If thecall is complete, at block 1240, the system may record a post-callassessment, reflecting the usage and viability of the codecs employedthroughout the call. This information may also be used at block 1205 ina subsequent call for the initial codec determination.

Decoupled Audio and Video

Various disclosed embodiments improve audio and video quality in anetwork call, such as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connectionthat includes both audio and video. Particularly, different audio andvideo codecs may be used and parameters assigned based upon the contextin which the communication occurs. For example, audio quality may takeprecedence over video quality when discussing a matter in a chatroom.Conversely, video quality may take precedence over audio quality whenplaying a collaborative video game. VP9 may be used to encode video,while a combination of ISAC and SPEEX may be used to encode audio.Bandwidth determinations for each channel may also influence therespective codec selections.

In the last few years, the Internet Protocol (IP) has emerged as apacket format in which data, audio and video traffic is carried aroundwired or wireless communication networks. Devices communicating via acommunication network such as an IP based network often tend to havehardware and software platforms that are developed by different vendors.In order to ensure interoperability between these hardware and softwareformats, several industry standards have been adopted. These standardsoften prescribe a sequence of messages to be exchanged and thecorresponding message formats to establish a two-way communication andto exchange multimedia data between two end points of communication forachieving acceptable user experience.

While the industry standards often provide acceptable performance, thisperformance may come at the cost of reduced flexibility. For example,industry standards published by organizations such as InternationalTelecommunications Union (ITU) and International Standards Organization(ISO) provide formats for digitally compressed audio and videoinformation. For example, ISO has published a video encodingspecification called MPEG/AVC (Moving Pictures Expert Group, AdvancedVideo Coding) and a corresponding audio specification called AdvancedAudio Coding (AAC). The combination of MPEG/AVC video and AAC audio iscurrently ubiquitously used for carriage of audio-video data over theInternet.

While the above-mentioned audio and video compression codecs oftenprovide acceptable user experience, such may not always be the case. Ingeneral, the quality of audio or video that is achieved by a given audiocodec and video codec varies with the operational conditions such asbitrate, packet errors, type of source, e.g., natural voice orartificial voice, natural images or computer generated image, and so on.A number of different codec ae known in the art, each codec having itsassociated strengths and weaknesses. For example, a number of differentaudio codecs, e.g., AAC, SPEEX, ISAC, Ogg Vorbis, can be used forencoding audio. Similarly, for video encoding, H.264, MPEG/AVC, VP9,VC-1, etc., present example video codecs that may be used. Further, somecodecs provide a rich set of operational parameters that can be used toobtain different quality streams. For example, MPEG/AVC can be used atdifferent bitrates, profiles (e.g., codec and transmissionconfigurations) and using (or not using) different encoding parameterssuch as using (or not using) Bi-directionally encoded frames, using (ornot using) intra-encoded frames, and so on. With a pre-determinedpairing of an audio code and video codec for use during a multimediasession, it may not be possible to mix-and-match the best codec for agiven operational point or be able to use a given codec at its bestencoding setting for a given operation.

Embodiments disclosed in the present document can be used to achieve theabove-discussed operational advantages, and others. The disclosedembodiments of systems and methods can be used for improving quality ina Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection including both audioand video content. Particularly, different audio and video codecs may beused and parameters assigned based upon the context in which thecommunication occurs. For example, audio quality may take precedenceover video quality when discussing a matter in a chatroom. Conversely,video quality may take precedence over audio quality when playing acollaborative video game. VP9 may be used to encode video while acombination of ISAC and SPEEX may be used to encode audio. Bandwidthdeterminations for each channel, audio or video, may also influence therespective codec selections

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of an example method 1300 for carrying on amultimedia communication session, e.g., from a user device that isgenerating multimedia data.

At 1302, the method 1300 includes providing a user device with multipleaudio codecs and multiple video codecs wherein each audio codecgenerates encoded digital audio in a corresponding digital format andeach video codec generates digital video in a corresponding digitalformat. For example, in some embodiments, a user device such as a mobilephone or a computer may be sold by pre-installing multiple audio andvideo codecs and/or corresponding hardware with codec encoding ordecoding capability on the user device. Alternatively or additionally anapplication may be installed by a user or the user may be prompted toinstall one or more codecs either individually or as a bundle.

At 1304, the method 1300 includes providing the user device with asocial media capability, wherein the social media capability allows forestablishing a multimedia session with another user device. In variousembodiments, the social media capability may be based on installation ofa software application and/or hardware and/or a combination of softwareand hardware that allow a user to generate, create, and maintain a listof friends or contacts with whom the user can share data. The socialmedia capability, or the social media app, may in turn interact with themultiple media codecs installed on the user device for the use of aselected codec for receiving and sending audio and/or video data duringa communication session.

At 1306, the method 1300 includes receiving, at a user interface, a userinput to initiate a multimedia call using the social media capabilitywith another user device. For example, when a user wants to initiate amultimedia session or a multimedia call with another user, he may selectthe other user's name from a list of friends and direct the user deviceto start an audio or an audio/video call with the other user.

At 1308, the method 1300 includes selecting, independent of each other,a current audio codec from the multiple audio codecs for communicatingaudio data during the multimedia call and a current video codec forcommunicating video data during the multimedia call. When the multimediacall is being established, the user device may make a determination ofwhat audio codec to use for the call and what video codec to use for thecall. These two decisions may be independent of each other. In otherwords, unlike some prior art systems such as the MPEG/AVC and AAC codeccombinations, any audio codec may be used along with any other videocodec, as described in further detail below.

At 1310, the method 1300 includes generating multimedia data comprisingencoded audio and video data using the current audio codec and thecurrent video codec. The audio/video data may then be transmitted via anetwork interface over the network to another user device.

In some embodiments, the method 1300 further includes monitoring one ormore operational conditions during the multimedia call for making adetermination about whether or not to change the current audio codec orthe current video codec. The monitored conditions may include, e.g.,bandwidth available over the network, packet loss or error rate, packetdelay, type of content being sent by the user, and so on. For example,the method 1300 may maintain information about the effectiveness of eachaudio and video codec as a function of the operational parameters beingmonitored. For example, a video codec C1 may be less sensitive to packetloss than another video codec C2. In other words, end-user perceivedvideo quality may remain at a satisfactory level in spite of packetsbeing lost when transmitted over the network. Thus, if the measuredpacket error loss of the network goes above a pre-determined threshold(e.g., 10% packet loss rate during some period of time), then the method1300 may decide to switch from the currently being used video codec C2to the more robust video codec C1. Because the decision about whichvideo codec is to be used and which audio codec is to be used areindependent of each other, this change from video codec C2 to videocodec C1 may not be accompanied by a corresponding codec change for theaudio data.

In some embodiments, the method 1300 may further include applying, whenit is determined to change the current audio codec or the current videocodec, a pre-determined rule for selecting the codec or codecs to bechanged. To change the codec being used, the method 400 may wait until anext “pause” point in the media generated at the user device. This pausepoint may be, e.g., a silent period in locally generated audio such asspeech or may be an intra-encoded frame (e.g., an I-frame) of video or adetected scene change in the video.

In some embodiments, the method 1300 includes changing from using thecurrent audio codec to using a next audio codec during the multimediacall without changing the current video codec. Alternatively oradditionally, the method 400 includes changing from using the currentvideo codec to using a next video codec during the multimedia callwithout changing the current audio codec.

In some embodiments, the method may include notifying of the change, viaa message transmitted prior to the changing, to the other user device.In some embodiments, the pre-determined rule for selecting the codec tobe changed is shared by both the user device and the another userdevice. In such a case, the method 400 may further include changing,without providing an advance notification from the user device to theanother user device, from using at least one of the current audio codecand the current video codec to a next audio codec or a next video codec.

The method 1300 may further include operating the user device tomaintain a history of codec changes, and applying a hysteresis in thedetermination about whether or not to change the current audio codec orthe current video codec, whereby no change is made when a previous codecchange occurred within a preceding threshold interval of time. In someembodiments, the hysteresis is applied only to audio codec changes andnot applied to video codec changes.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example 1400 of how operational parameters can beused for codec selection. For a given media type (audio or video), CodecA may be the preferred choice of encoding when the operational conditionis such that a bitrate between B0 and B2 can be allocated to the codec.In an overlapping range B1 to B3 (where B1 is less than B2, but B3 isgreater than B2), codec B may be the preferred codec for encoding mediacontent. Thus, when the operational condition is in the range R1(between B0 and B1), then codec A may be selected. Similarly, when theoperating range is R3 (between bitrates B2 and B3), Codec B may beselected. In the range R2, it may be possible to select either codec Aor codec B, e.g., because both codecs give similar performance. In suchas case, in some embodiments, preference may be given to keep using thecodec currently in use. For example, Codec A may be used in the rangeR2, if codec A was being used based on a previous operational condition.Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a hysteresis timeperiod may be used before a change of codec is made. For example, nocodec change is made in the region R2 if the last change occurred withina pre-determined time period (e.g., 10 seconds), before the presenttime. Otherwise, a codec change is made to keep up with changes in thenetwork conditions.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of an example method 1500 for operating amultimedia session. The method 1500 may be implemented at a user devicethat is on the receiving side of a codec change performed by thetransmitting side of the multimedia session.

At 1502, the method 1500 includes providing a user device with multipleaudio codecs and multiple video codecs wherein each audio codec decodesencoded digital audio having a corresponding digital format and eachvideo codec decodes digital video having a corresponding digital format.

At 1504, the method 1500 includes providing the user device with asocial media capability, wherein the social media capability allows forestablishing a multimedia session with another device;

At 1506, the method 1500 includes receiving, over a network interface, anotification of an incoming multimedia call using the social mediacapability from another user device, wherein the notificationidentifies, independent from each other, a current audio codec and acurrent video codec for use during the multimedia call;

At 1508, the method 1500 includes loading the current video codec andthe current audio codec to decode received audio and video data duringthe multimedia call; and

At 1510, the method 1500 includes presenting decoded audio and videodata using the current audio codec and the current video codec to a userinterface.

In some embodiments, the method 1500 may further include determining,during the multimedia call, that the encoding format for at least one ofaudio and video received during the multimedia call has changed,unloading, in response to the determination that the encoding format haschanged, at least one of the current video codec and the current audiocodec, and loading a corresponding next codec to seamlessly providemultimedia data at the user interface. In some embodiments, thedetermining operation includes receiving a notification from the anotheruser device of a change in encoding format.

In some embodiments, the method 1500 includes monitoring one or moreoperational conditions during the multimedia call for making adetermination about whether or not to change the current audio codec orthe current video codec. The loading operation may include changing fromusing the current audio codec to using a next audio codec during themultimedia call without changing the current video codec. Alternativelyor additionally the loading operation may include changing from usingthe current video codec to using a next video codec during themultimedia call without changing the current audio codec.

In some embodiments, a user device apparatus may include a memory, aprocessor and a network interface. The memory storesprocessor-executable code include code for multiple audio codec andmultiple video codecs wherein each audio codec generates encoded digitalaudio in a corresponding digital format and each video codec generatesdigital video in a corresponding digital format. The processor readscode from the memory and implements a method including implementing asocial media application, wherein the social media application allowsfor establishing a multimedia session via the network interface withanother user device, receiving, from a user interface, a user input toinitiate a multimedia call using the social media capability withanother user device, selecting, independent of each other, a currentaudio codec from the multiple audio codecs for communicating audio dataduring the multimedia call and a current video codec for communicatingvideo data during the multimedia call, and generating multimedia datacomprising encoded audio and video data using the current audio codecand the current video codec. The apparatus may also monitor one or moreoperational conditions (e.g., those discussed above) during themultimedia call for making a determination about whether or not tochange the current audio codec or the current video codec. The apparatusmay also apply, when it is determined to change the current audio codecor the current video codec a pre-determined rule for selecting codec tobe changed.

In some embodiments, the pre-determined rule for selecting a codec to bechanged is shared by both the user device and the another user device.In such a case, the apparatus may change, without providing an advancenotification from the user device to the another user device, from usingat least one of the current audio codec and the current video codec to anext audio codec or a next video codec.

In will be appreciated that various techniques for providing bestquality audio video experience to users during a multimedia session havebeen disclosed. In some disclosed embodiments, the selection of an audiocodec and a video codec may be performed independent of each other. Theselection of a particular codec may be based on a type of multimediasession that is currently underway.

Embedded RTCP

Various disclosed embodiments reduce the impact of RTCP overhead byincluding RTCP information in the media packets themselves. The valuesin the RTCP headers may be selected based on the context and organizedin a unique format for transport in the media packets. For example, RTT,packet loss, and bandwidth estimates may dictate when and how RTCP datais moved into the media packet. An interface may be provided forextracting the data so that clients may easily integrate the embodimentswith existing RTCP-based systems. Inclusion of the RTCP information inthe media packet may increase the media packet size, which may beanticipated in bandwidth assessments and accommodations.

In one example aspect, a disclosed communication method includesestablishing a multimedia communication session from a firstcommunication node to a second communication node, wherein themultimedia communication session is conducted via a communicationnetwork using a communication protocol, determining, based on a revisionnumber of the second communication node, whether the secondcommunication node supports a mixed media transmission mode in whichmedia packets include control information, and transmitting, when thesecond communication node supports the mixed media transmission mode, aplurality of media packets comprising media data from the firstcommunication node to the second communication node at a given rate ofpacket transmission. The at least some of the plurality of media packetsare mixed media packets which include digitized media data that iscaptured at a user interface of the first communication node and furtherinclude quality information indicative of a quality of data packetsreceived during the audio communication session from the secondcommunication node within a time window of an observation duration.

Certain aspects of the disclosed technology are described with specificreferences to the Real Time Protocol, which is generally specified inInternet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comments (RFC) 1889,and further revised in RFC 3550 for illustrative purpose. The disclosedtechnology can be embodied, however, in implementations that usedifferent packet formats.

In the media streaming protocols defined by RTP, including RTP ControlProtocol (RTCP), packets are transferred between two or more end pointsin a communication network using IP transport format. The RTPspecification defines a header field and a payload field for eachpacket. The RTP header includes information such as a sequence number, atimestamp, a source identifier, payload type, and so on. In typicalimplementations, RTP header has a size of at least 12 bytes.

To help facilitate a satisfactory audio or video communication sessionusing the RTP protocol, end points may be configured to exchange certaincontrol information using the RTCP. Typically, RTCP information iscarried in separate IP packets than RTP packets. For example, IETF RFC3605 prescribed using separate User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port IDs forRTP and RTCP packets—typically an even numbered ID for RTP, and theimmediate next odd number for the corresponding RTCP port ID. An RTCPpacket follows the general format of the RTP packet, but instead of thepayload portion carrying media data, an RTCP payload carries receptionreport information. The information included in an RTCP packet sent froma receiver node of a media stream to the transmitter node of a mediastream is intended to help the transmitter node to provider a betterquality of user experience to the receiver. Using the RTCP report, thetransmitter node may be able to adjust the bitrate of encoding, the rateat which RTP packets are sent out, the size of RTP packets, and so on.

FIG. 16 depicts an example of a protocol stack embodiment 1600 at atransmitting or a receiving node (e.g., from users 105 a-c) at whichmedia based on RTP and RTCP protocols is received or transmitted. On thereceiving side, at layer 2 (1602), data received on physical signals(e.g., electrical or optical transmissions) may be processed using aprotocol such as Ethernet, or a wireless transmission protocol. From thedata received at layer 2, IP packets may be recovered and processed atlayer 3 (1604). The received IP packets that are UDP packets may beparsed and processed at layer 4 (1606). UDP packets that correspond toport IDs that are used in a current media session may be passed to theappropriate processing RTP or RTCP modules 1610, 1612 operating at layer5 (1608). Audio data may be extracted from the RTP packets and passed tothe audio codec module 1614 for decoding and presentation to a userinterface (e.g., playing out from a speaker, or providing to avoice-to-text application).

FIG. 17 depicts an example protocol stack embodiment 1700 in whichcontrol data is provided inside of RTP packets. Unlike the separate RTPand RTCP modules 1610, 1612, working with their own different datapackets that could be distinguished based on their different UDP portIDs, in embodiment 1700, media data is generated (on the transmittingside) or processed (on the receiving side) using a single mixed mediaprotocol (MMP) module 1710. In other words, unlike embodiment 1600, theUDP layer 4 (1606) may have to accept packets from (for transmission) orprovide packets to (for reception) a single module—with these packetsnot distinguishable at the UDP layer (layer 4) by simple inspection ofthe headers.

In one advantageous aspect, embodiment 1700 can completely do away withresources used in embodiment 1600 for book-keeping and other processingof a second UDP port ID that carries the RTCP data traffic. Because thetotal bandwidth used by a media session on the physical communicationchannel is a combination of the media traffic and the control traffic,the total bandwidth of the media session can be managed by simplyprocessing a single UDP port ID (unlike some implementations, where atleast two different UDP port IDs may have to be used) for bitratecontrol.

Further, some embodiments may use multiple different audio codec modules1714 (e.g., ISAC or Internet Speech Audio Codec, SPEEX, etc.). Theembodiment 1700 advantageously simplifies embodiments by doing away withhaving multiple RTCP protocol stacks for fulfilling differing needs ofdifferent audio codecs.

In another advantageously aspect, the amount of bandwidth overheadconsumed by control traffic can be reduced or eliminated. For example,IETF RFC 3550 recommends limiting RTCP traffic to 5% of sessionbandwidth. Much of the RTCP traffic, however, may be consumed by theheader overhead, and thus the actual bandwidth used by controlinformation may be a small fraction of the bandwidth allocated to RTCP.By contrast, by eliminating header overhead, duplicate fields (such assequence numbers and time stamps) and control information that is notgoing to be used by the receiving node, embodiment 1700 canadvantageously increase bandwidth efficiency by piggybacking orincluding control information into media packets.

In some embodiments, a packet transmission from the embodiment 1700 maybe almost RTP-like, but may not comply with the RFC 3550 specificationdue to the inclusion of control information in RTP packets. Someembodiments may operate in a training mode in which their transmissionmode, i.e., whether or not to use a mixed media packet, may be dependenton the format of received packets. For example, when an embodiment ofthe system 1700 receives RTP packets from a far end node with controlinformation embedded in media packets, the embodiment 1700 may transmitmedia packets that carry control information, otherwise, the embodiment1700 may transmit RTP and RTP packets using different UDP port IDs.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example method 1800 of multimediacommunication. The method 1800 may be implemented on a user device(e.g., a mobile device, a tablet, a personal computer, a wearabledevice, etc.).

At 1802, the method 1800 includes establishing a multimediacommunication session from a first communication node to a secondcommunication node. In various embodiments, the communication nodes mayinclude a user device, or an application installed on the user device,e.g., a mobile app, The multimedia communication session may beconducted via a communication network using a communication protocolsuch as the previously discussed RTP protocol, or a variation thereof.For example, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of media packetsfollows a packet format that includes a packet header portion and apacket payload portion, wherein the quality information is included onlyin the packet header portion and the digitized media data is includedonly in the packet payload portion.

At 1804, the method 1800 may determine, e.g., based on a revision numberof the second communication node, whether the second communication nodesupports a mixed media transmission mode in which media packets includecontrol information.

At 1806, the method 1800 includes transmitting, when the secondcommunication node supports the mixed media transmission mode, aplurality of media packets comprising media data from the firstcommunication node to the second communication node at a given rate ofpacket transmission.

In method 1800, some of the plurality of media packets are mixed mediapackets which include digitized media data that is captured at a userinterface of the first communication node and that further includequality information indicative of a quality of data packets receivedduring the audio communication session from the second communicationnode within a time window of an observation duration.

In some embodiments, the system implementing method 1800 refrains fromtransmitting quality information from the first communication node tothe second communication node in data packets that do not contain audioinformation. In other words, no separate control packets may betransmitted. In some embodiments, each media packet is a mixed mediapacket, i.e., carries control information.

In some embodiments, the number of media packets that contain qualityinformation, or the percentage of total media packets, may be a functionof the quality information. In some embodiments, the percentage mayincrease with decreasing data packet quality received from the secondcommunication node. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the value of thefraction may decrease with decreasing quality of data packets receivedfrom the second communication node.

In some embodiments, the quality information includes at least one of apacket jitter value and a dropped packet count.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an example of a communication apparatus1900. The module 1902 is for establishing a multimedia communicationsession from a first communication node to a second communication node,wherein the multimedia communication session is conducted via acommunication network using a communication protocol. The module 1904may be used for determining, e.g., based on a revision number of thesecond communication node, whether the second communication nodesupports a mixed media transmission mode in which media packets includecontrol information. The module 1906 is for transmitting, when thesecond communication node supports the mixed media transmission mode, aplurality of media packets comprising media data from the firstcommunication node to the second communication node at a given rate ofpacket transmission. In some embodiments, at least some of the pluralityof media packets are mixed media packets which include digitized mediadata that is captured at a user interface of the first communicationnode and further include quality information indicative of a quality ofdata packets received during the audio communication session from thesecond communication node within a time window of an observationduration.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for receiving media data may include amemory and a processor. The processor may read instructions from thememory and implement a method that includes establishing an audiocommunication session with a sender node, wherein the audiocommunication session is conducted via a communication network using aninternet protocol (IP) protocol and receiving a plurality of mediapackets comprising media data from the first communication node to thesecond communication node at a given rate of packet transmission. Atleast some of the plurality of media packets are mixed media packetswhich include digitized media data that is captured at a user interfaceof the first communication node and further include quality informationindicative of a quality of data packets received during the audiocommunication session from the second communication node within a timewindow of an observation duration.

Parameter Configuration

Various of the disclosed embodiments improve encoding during a networkcall, such as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connection, bycorrelating various contextual parameters from previous calls, withappropriate settings for a current call. For example, the system maytake note of the model of cell phone used during a communication, thecarrier, the presence of a WiFi connection, the user rating, the codecsemployed, etc. During a subsequent call, the system may compare thesepast calling parameters with the current situation, and may select callsettings (e.g., codec selections) based thereon. Machine learningmethods may be applied using the past data to inform the selection ofthe settings for the present call. Machine learning methods, such asSupport Vector Machines (SVMs), neural networks, Bayesian updates, etc.may be used.

Various embodiments provide methods that use measurements of the levelof echo or background noise to algorithmically optimize the AutomatedEcho Cancellation (AEC) or Noise Suppression (NS) behavior of a computersystem. Echo suppression and noise suppression algorithms have varyingdegrees of effectiveness based on the type of noise and intensity. Somedevices have hardware based echo/noise suppression, which may or may notbe better than some software implementations. Still other devices mayreport that they have echo/noise suppression capabilities, but fail toengage them due to software defects.

Many prior art tuning algorithms are unable to adequately support thesesituations. First, it may not be possible to know in advance all thetypes and intensities of noise to which a user may be subjected to. Forexample, a first user may live in a noisy urban environment andexperience much higher levels of noise, and noise of a differentcharacter, from a second user in a rural environment. Similarly, a firstuser's device may have different levels of echo than a second user'sdevice. Testing all the possible devices available to a user is animpracticable method for anticipating each device's particularnoise-affecting characteristics. Second, software operating on the userdevices improves and changes all the time. Optimizing noise based uponan initial configuration may not be durable.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for performingnoise level adjustments across multiple devices as may be implemented insome embodiments. Though noise levels are depicted in this example, onewill recognize that other communication parameters may be monitored andadjusted in some embodiments.

Some embodiments measure the echo level and/or other artifacts, such asbackground noise, affecting comfort noise generation. At block 2005, anenergy measurement may be made to determine echo for variouspermutations of hardware and software algorithm configurations. Thesechanges may be distributed across a corpus of users to achievestatistically significant data. At block 2010, the echo level may belogged to a server (e.g., to a social networking server). At block 2015,the server may then apply machine learning, or human analysis may beused, to assess the noise level at a user, country, carrier, device, andoperating system basis.

At block 2020, consolidated profiles for each of the different userdevice types may be generated. At block 2025, these profiles may beapplied during subsequent communications. The system may configurerelevant devices appropriately by setting the mode on the server (e.g.,the client may pull the mode down from the server on a recurring basis,either automatically or in accordance with user input). For example, ifa given device shows lower measured echo levels on average in softwareecho cancellation mode rather than hardware echo cancellation mode, thesystem may subsequently configure the device model, through a serverside control, to always run in software mode.

At block 2030, human reviewers and/or the server system may analyze datafrom the calls, comparing both measured noise and subjective userratings (e.g., star ratings from a marketplace) to verify that thechange effected by each profile was a desirable one. The profiles may beupdated at block 2035, based upon this feedback until a preferredbehavior is consistently produced (e.g. for at least some thresholdpercentage of cases).

Various embodiments increase the user satisfaction of voice and videocalls. These embodiments may save substantial money by avoiding themanual testing of all possible devices. This may allow for more specificconfiguration of devices based on environment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an example topology betweenvarious feature sets impacting a parameter configuration determinationas may occur in some embodiments. The various dimensions may beconsidered, e.g., when assessing feedback at blocks 2015 and 2035. Thedimensions may be arranged in a total or partial ordering and mayinclude various features associated with the users of the device (e.g.,where the environment 2115 or user level dimension 2105). For example,the user's personal preferences and call feedback ratings 2105 a, theuser's location 2105 c, the user's historical usage patterns 2105 b, theuser's billing plan 2105 d, etc. may be considered. Similarly, at thehardware level dimension 2110, features regarding the intermediatedevice configurations 2110 a, the target device configurations 2110 c,the user device transceiver configuration 2110 b, the availability ofcodecs on the user device 2110 d, etc. At the environment leveldimension 2115, features concerning the network conditions at thehardware level dimension 2115 a, the time at which the call is performed2115 c, the available bandwidth 2115 b, the geographic locations of theusers 2115 d, etc.

Additional examples of user level features considered may include: thespeakerphone/earpiece/headset mode; an indication whether the usermutes/un-mutes the device; a speaker path volume setting; an indicationwhether the hardware AEC is configured to be enabled; an indicationwhether the hardware NS is configured to be enabled; an indication ofthe audio mode of the platform: the device state, e.g., Normal, In_Callor In_Communication; an indication whether the WebRTC AECM module isconfigured to be enabled; an indication whether the WebRTC NS module isconfigured to be enabled; an indication whether the WebRTC AGC module isconfigured to be enabled; the mode of the WebRTC AECM configured on thesystem (e.g., HeadSet, Earpiece, Loud Earpiece, Speakerphone, LoudSpeakerphone); the mode of the WebRTC NS configured on the system (e.g.,Low Suppression, Moderate Suppression, High Suppression, Very HighSuppression); the mode of the WebRTC AGC configured on the system (e.g.,Adaptive Analog, Adaptive Digital, Fixed Digital); etc.

Additional examples of hardware level features may include: the AGCconfiguration; a decision to enable/disable the VAD at the encoder; themode of VAD at the encoder; the nominal CPU of the system; system loadin percentage; a total system memory; the type of CPU in the userdevice; the type of audio chip in the user device; etc.

Additional examples of environment level features may include: thesender code name; the codec indicated in the sender information; thesender codec property time series; the round trip delay, e.g. asindicated in the sender information; uplink bandwidth; sender audiolevel, e.g., as indicated in an information time series; the send-sideduration of comfort noise; the send-side comfort noise; the bytes sent;the packets sent; the receive packets received; the receiver packetjitter statistics; the receiver expand rate statistics; the downlinkbandwidth statistics in the receiver information; Dynamic BufferExtension (DBE) time series; the time series of receiver audio level;time series of receiver jitter; the time series of receiver expand rate;the time series of the receiver lost packet; the duration of comfortnoise; the total packet count of comfort noise; the total frame count ofPacket Loss Concealment (PLC) generation; the receiver round trip delay;network statistics; the overall delay of the conversation; status offirst received packets; status of first transmitted packets; etc.

Additional factors may include: an indication whether the receiving sidehas significant signal (before WebRTC); an indication whether thehardware AEC is present; an indication whether the software AEC ispresent; an indication whether the percentage of frames at the receiveoutput is silent (e.g., very small energy <−70 dbm); an indicationwhether the percentage of frames at the receive output is silent (e.g.,very small energy <−70 dbm); an indication whether the percentage offrames at the send input is silent (e.g., very small energy <−70 dbm0);an indication whether the percentage of frames at the send output issilent (e.g., very small energy <−70 dbm0); an indication whether thepercentage of frames at the receive input is quiet (e.g., small energy<−45 dbm0); an indication whether the percentage of frames at thereceive output is quiet (e.g., small energy <−45 dbm0); an indicationwhether the percentage of frames at the send input is quiet (e.g., smallenergy <−45 dbm0); an indication that the percentage of frames at thereceive in is potentially saturated; an indication whether thepercentage of frames at the receive output is potentially saturated; anindication whether the percentage of frames at the send input ispotentially saturated; an indication whether the percentage of frames atthe send output is potentially saturated; an indication of the noiselevel at the receive input; an indication whether the noise level at thereceive output; an indication of the noise level at the send input; anindication of the noise level at the receive input; the audio levelhistogram at the mic raw input; the audio level histogram at mic inputafter WebRTC media processing; the audio level histogram at codecoutput; the audio level histogram at speaker codec interface; anindication whether the distortion of the voice at the receive input; anindication of the distortion of the voice at receive output; anindication whether the distortion of the voice at the send input; anindication of the distortion of the voice at the send output; the modeof WebRTC mute; a frame count of not playing (indicating that the WebRTCstate is inconsistent), a frame count when the WebRTC media enginecannot feed data to speaker in time, a frame count of getting mic input,total in device info; a frame count of sending speaker audio; a framecount of silent frames in the mic; a frame count of absolute zero framesin mic path, zero in device info; a frame count of record buffer notkeeping up with mic input; etc.

The system may report when the user makes a call, mutes/un-mutes thespeaker on the user device, and the time of change and the mute status(1 for mute and 0 for un-mute). Changes to the volume on the device mayalso be reported. There are many reasons the volume value may change.The value may change if the configuration of hardware AEC is changed.The value may change if the configuration of hardware NS is changed. Thevalue may change if the configuration of hardware is changed. The valuemay change if the configuration of WebRTC AECM is changed. The value maychange if the configuration of WebRTC NS is changed. The value maychange if the configuration of WebRTC AGC is changed. The value maychange if the configuration of WebRTC AECM mode is changed

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example topology forassessing, optimizing, and performing a communication as may occur insome embodiments. Users may communicate via user devices 2230, 2235,which may serve as sources and receivers in duplex or half-duplexconfigurations. The user devices 2230, 2235 may communicate directlyacross a direct connection 2240, or across network connections 2220,2225, e.g., via a cellular tower 2215, Internet hub (not shown), etc.The user devices 2230, 2235 may periodically report data from past callsto a settings server (e.g., a social network server) 2205 via a networkconnection 2210.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for generatinga preliminary configuration based upon a feature topology as may occurin some embodiments. At block 2305, the system may determine relevantuser-level features across many users in a variety of settings. At block2310 the system may determine relevant hardware level features. At block2315, the system may determine relevant environment features. If theidentified features do not facilitate the determination of a preliminaryconfiguration at block 2320, the system may interpolate the featurevalues at block 2325 to achieve a preliminary configuration. At block2330, the system may implement the preliminary configuration as theprofile for a user device in the group of user devices. When the userdevice executes a call at block 2335 it may report updates regarding thesuitability of the configuration to the settings server 2205. When thecall completes, the system may update the historical transactionsdataset at block 2340 to facilitate the subsequent review of theprofile's effectiveness for this user device.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process for training apreference machine learning system as may occur in some embodiments. Atblock 2405, the system may assess the bandwidth available to the userdevice. At block 2410, the system may determine if past data exists fromwhich to select or generate a profile. If such data does not exist, atblock 2415 the system may retrieve contextual information regarding thisparticular call. At block 2420, the system may then interpolate thesettings from a similar device and context to this call to the server asa temporary configuration profile.

At block 2425, the system may execute the communication event, e.g., theuser devices may initiate the conversation. At block 2430, during and/orfollowing the call, the system may determine feedback from the event.Using the feedback, at block 2435, the system may perform featureidentification and extraction. At block 2440, the system may applymachine learning to identify causal correlations between various user,hardware, and environment level features and the quality of the call.

At block 2445, the system may store the results for future considerationduring profile assessment.

Codec Switching

In various embodiments, a corpus of codecs may be correlated withdifferent, partially overlapping ranges of transmission characteristics.As channel conditions degrade or improve, the system may select a newcodec with which to continue the connection based upon the correspondingoverlapping range. Codecs may not be switched immediately when thetransmission characteristics enter overlapping ranges, to avoiddegrading the user's experience. If the characteristics remain in theoverlap, or manifest a likely progression toward another region, thenthe transition may be effected.

In the last few years, the Internet Protocol (IP) has emerged as apacket format in which data, audio and video traffic is carried aroundwired or wireless communication networks. When data packets traverse ashared and/or an opportunistic bandwidth network such as the publicinternet, individual data packets may experience different networkcharacteristics such as delay, bandwidth or packet errors.

In real time voice and video communication, Forward Error Correction(FEC) is often used to achieve success in delivering error-free messagesin spite of degraded channel conditions. Using FEC, a transmitter sendstwo streams of media simultaneously: one high bandwidth, one lowbandwidth. The media, e.g., an audio conversation, is played from thehigh quality, high bandwidth stream, but when a high quality packet islost, which can happen regardless of available bandwidth, it is replacedby the similar packet from the low quality stream. In traditionalimplementations, the low-quality signal is typically a lower resolutionversion output the same codec as the high quality signal. This haslimitations, because codecs typically can't ramp their bandwidthdramatically, so the low quality signal may substantial overhead, whichlimits the application of FEC.

In one illustrative example, if the user has 40 kbps of availablebandwidth, the high quality signal is 30 kbps, and the low qualitysignal is 15 kbps, the user needs 45 kbps to make an FEC basedtransmission scheme to work. Because the available bandwidth (40 kbps)is less than the required bandwidth (45 kbps), FEC won't work. Using thetechniques disclosed in the present document, among other things, atransmitted can replace the low bandwidth media stream with a differentcodec. In one possible permutation, ISAC (Internet Speech Audio Codec)could be used as the high quality codec (around 30 Kbps) and SPEEX asthe low quality codec (around 5 Kbps). This enables the low qualitysignal to be even lower bandwidth, say, 5 kbps, so that 30+5=35 kbps andFEC can be enabled. This will provide a better user experience becauseto support a higher quality codec but not good enough to supporttraditional FEC

Embodiments provide improved encoding during a network call, such as aVoice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) call. Particularly, a corpus ofcodecs may be correlated with different, partially overlapping ranges oftransmission characteristics. As channel conditions degrade or improve,the system may select a new codec with which to continue the connectionbased upon the corresponding overlapping range. Codecs may not beswitched immediately when the transmission characteristics enteroverlapping ranges, to avoid degrading the user's experience. If thecharacteristics remain in the overlap, or manifest a likely progressiontoward another region, then the transition may be effected.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example 2500 of how operational parameters can beused for codec selection. For a given media type (audio or video), CodecA may be preferred choice of encoding when the operational condition issuch that a bitrate between B0 and B2 can be allocated to the codec. Inan overlapping range B1 to B3 (where B1 is less than B2, but B3 isgreater than B2), codec B may be a preferred codec for encoding mediacontent. Thus, when the operational condition is in the range R1(between B0 and B1), then codec A may be selected. Similarly, when theoperating range is R3 (between bitrates B2 and B3), Codec B may beselected. In the range R2, it may be possible to select either codec Aor codec B, e.g., because both codecs give similar performance. In suchas case, in some embodiments, preference may be given to keep using thecodec currently in use. For example, Codec A may be used in the rangeR2, is codec A was being used based on a previous operational condition.Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a hysteresis timeperiod may be used before a change of codec is made. For example, nocodec change is made in the region R2, if the last change was within apre-determined time period (e.g., 10 seconds); otherwise, a codec changeis made to keep up with changes in the network conditions.

Operational point 2502 may represent a state of a multimediacommunication session in which a certain network condition is present.For example, the available network bandwidth may be between 32 Kbps and40 Kbps, with a packet error rate of less than 5% and end to end latencyless than 20 milliseconds. The transmitting device may be able to usemultiple audio or video codecs to encode user data and provide asatisfactory experience to the user. For example, two codecs, Codec Aand Codec B may be usable at the operational point 2502. Of the possiblecodecs, which codec is being used at a given time may depend on networkconditions in a preceding time period. For example, when the currentoperational point 2502 is reached due to a change in encodingparameters, indicated by transition 2504, where Codec A was being usedearlier, the transmitting node may keep using Codec A to minimize anyglitches or discontinuities on the receiver-side. Similarly, if Codec Bwas being used previously, then as indicated by transition 2506, thetransmitting node may keep using Codec B as the operational point 2502.It can be seen that, in some embodiments, different codecs may be usedduring a multimedia session at the same operating points, such asavailable bitrate, depending on the historical codec use.

FIG. 26 depicts an example look-up table 2600 that may be stored in amemory at the transmitter side (e.g., user 105 a). In some embodiments,when the receiver is tracking and anticipating codec changes from thetransmitter, a similar table 2600 may also be stored at the receiverside (e.g., user 105 b,c). Column 2602 lists various values or ranges ofa given operational parameter (e.g., bitrate or packet loss percent, orend-to-end delay, etc.). Column 2604 lists a corresponding codec thatcould be used when the operational parameter is as listed in a givenrow. Column 2606 lists a corresponding rule that may be used to resolvewhich particular codec to use when multiple codecs can be used at agiven parameter value. For example, Rule 1 may specify codec use basedon prior history. For example, Rule 1 may specify that C1 should be usedif C1 was being used for the last 5 seconds, otherwise C2 is to be used.Another example rule may be based on cross-parameter selection. Forexample, in some embodiments, a different table 2600 may be maintainedfor multiple parameters such as packet loss and bandwidth. Across-parameter rule, e.g., Rule 3, may specify that C2 is to be used ifanother parameter (not depicted in FIG. 26) is within a certain valuerange, or C3 if that parameter is within another value range, or C4 forall other cases.

FIG. 27 shows an example flowchart for a method of transmitting mediapackets. FIG. 27 shows an example flowchart of a method 2700 of mediacommunication. The method 2700 may be implemented by a source node, or atransmitting node, of media data in a media communication session.

At 2702, the method 2700 includes, establishing a communication sessionfrom a first communication node to a second communication node, whereinthe first communication node and the second communication node arecommunicatively connected to each other over a communication network.The first communication node and the second communication node may userdevices (e.g., those associated with users user 105 a-c as depicted inFIG. 1).

At 2704, the method 2700 includes, transmitting a first media contentfrom the first communication node to the second communication node,wherein the first media content is encoded using a first media codectechnology.

At 2706, the method 2700 includes, monitoring, during the communicationsession, an operational condition of the communication network. Invarious embodiments, the monitoring the operational condition of thecommunication network includes monitoring one or more of an end-to-endtrip delay between the first communication node and the secondcommunication node, network bandwidth availability, network delaycondition and network packet error rate condition

At 2708, the method 2700 includes, deciding to switch, when theoperational condition of the communication network meets a firstcondition, the first media codec technology to a second media codectechnology. In some embodiments the decision to switch may includemaintaining a history of codec switching times, and ensuring that no toconsecutive codec switching occurs closer than a minimum switching timeapart from each other.

At 2710, the method 2700 includes, switching, after deciding to switch,transmission of the first media content of the communication session touse the second media codec technology. In some embodiments, theswitching may be a soft switching. For example, for a transitionduration, concurrent transmission of the first media content using boththe first media codec technology and the second media codec technology.The transition duration may be dependent on the device receiving themedia packets. For example, a software-implemented device may not need atransition period, while a hardware-implemented device may want toreceive an early notification, so that hardware can be reconfigured.

At 2712, the method 2700 includes, selectively signaling, via thecommunication network, the switching to the second media codectechnology. In some embodiments selective signaling may be performed bydetermining a type of the second communication node, and conveying,based on the type of the second communication node, the switching to thesecond communication node. Some receiving nodes, or second communicationnodes, may be of a type that expects to be notified of a codec changewhile other nodes may not expect an advanced notice of an upcomingchange in the codec. In some embodiments, when it is determined that thetype of second communication node can seamlessly operate through codecswitching, and then refraining from signaling the switching.

In some embodiments the selective signaling may include sending acontrol message using a data packet that includes the first mediacontent in the data packet. In some embodiments, the method may alsoinclude storing, in a memory, a list of a plurality of networkoperational conditions and corresponding codecs to be used, anddetermining the second media codec technology based on a nearest matchin the list to a current operational condition of the communicationnetwork. In some embodiments, the communication session also has asecond media content associated with the session and wherein the secondmedia content is of a type different from the first media content andthe method further includes switching, based on the operationalcondition of the communication network, a codec technology used for thesecond media content. For example, in some embodiments, the describedcodec switching may be performed independently and concurrently foraudio and video portions of a media session. In some embodiments, themethod 2700 includes deciding a sequence of switching codecs for thefirst media content and the second media content based on a switchingrule (e.g., as shown in FIG. 26).

FIG. 28 depicts an example of a media transmission system using twocodecs, Codec C1 and C2. Along the horizontal time axis, from left toright, the transmitting node may be transmitting media at an operationalpoint 2801 where it may be encoding media data using Codec C1. Due to achange in the network condition, the communication device may switch tousing Codec C2 at operational point 2803. As the network conditions keepchanging, for a pre-determined time period, the transmitting node mayadapt to the changing conditions by simply adjusting encoding parametersof Codec C2 (as indicated by operational point changes 2805). Beyond thetime period, a change in the network condition may cause thetransmitting node to switch from Codec C2 to Codec C1 (2807). A nextchange in the network condition may occur after the pre-determined timeperiod has expired, thereby causing a change in codec used (2809)without any intermediate changes to the encoding parameters of codec C1.

FIG. 29 shows an example flowchart of a method of receiving mediapackets in which the encoding codec is switched over a period of time.FIG. 29 shows an example flowchart for a method 2900 implemented on thereceiver-side of a media session.

At 2902, the method 2900 includes establishing a communication sessionbetween the first communication node and the second communication node,wherein the first communication node and the second communication nodeare communicatively coupled to each other over the communicationnetwork. The receiver may store a plurality of media codec technologymodules. For example, the media codec modules may be stored as softwareexecutable modules that can be loaded into a processor memory such that,when needed, a module corresponding to a codec, can be used to decodereceived media data.

At 2904, the method 2900 includes receiving a first media content at thefirst communication node from the second communication node, wherein thefirst media content is encoded using a first media codec technology.

At 2906, the method 2900 includes monitoring, during the communicationsession, an operational condition of the communication network. Variousnetwork operational conditions are disclosed in the present document.

At 2908, the method 2900 includes reporting, from the firstcommunication node, the operational condition of the communicationnetwork to cause the second communication node to switch the first mediacodec technology to a second media codec technology.

At 2910, the method 2900 includes receiving, from the secondcommunication node, a signal indicative of the switching to the secondmedia codec technology. The signal may be an implicit signal, e.g.,certain header information of media data packets may change, or anexplicit signal, e.g., a control message that provides information aboutwhen and which codec is being switched to.

At 2912, the method 2900 includes processing, upon receiving the signal;the media content of the communication session by using the second mediacodec technology.

Computer System

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a computer system as may be used toimplement features of some of the embodiments. The computing system 3000may include one or more central processing units (“processors”) 3005,memory 3010, input/output devices 3025 (e.g., keyboard and pointingdevices, display devices), storage devices 3020 (e.g., disk drives), andnetwork adapters 3030 (e.g., network interfaces) that are connected toan interconnect 3015. The interconnect 3015 is illustrated as anabstraction that represents any one or more separate physical buses,point to point connections, or both connected by appropriate bridges,adapters, or controllers. The interconnect 3015, therefore, may include,for example, a system bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) busor PCI-Express bus, a HyperTransport or industry standard architecture(ISA) bus, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, a universalserial bus (USB), IIC (I2C) bus, or an Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus, also called “Firewire”.

The memory 3010 and storage devices 3020 are computer-readable storagemedia that may store instructions that implement at least portions ofthe various embodiments. In addition, the data structures and messagestructures may be stored or transmitted via a data transmission medium,e.g., a signal on a communications link. Various communications linksmay be used, e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a wide areanetwork, or a point-to-point dial-up connection. Thus, computer readablemedia can include computer-readable storage media (e.g., “nontransitory” media) and computer-readable transmission media.

The instructions stored in memory 3010 can be implemented as softwareand/or firmware to program the processor(s) 3005 to carry out actionsdescribed above. In some embodiments, such software or firmware may beinitially provided to the processing system 3000 by downloading it froma remote system through the computing system 3000 (e.g., via networkadapter 3030).

The various embodiments introduced herein can be implemented by, forexample, programmable circuitry (e.g., one or more microprocessors)programmed with software and/or firmware, or entirely in special-purposehardwired (non-programmable) circuitry, or in a combination of suchforms. Special-purpose hardwired circuitry may be in the form of, forexample, one or more ASICs, PLDs, FPGAs, etc.

Remarks

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to beconstrued as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, theembodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatthe same thing can be said in more than one way. One will recognize that“memory” is one form of a “storage” and that the terms may on occasionbe used interchangeably.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significanceto be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussedherein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one ormore synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use ofexamples anywhere in this specification including examples of any termdiscussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to furtherlimit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplifiedterm. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodimentsgiven in this specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given above. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions will control.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:establishing a communication session from a first communication node toa second communication node, wherein the first communication node andthe second communication node are communicatively connected to eachother over a communication network; transmitting a first media contentfrom the first communication node to the second communication node,wherein the first media content is encoded using a first media codectechnology; monitoring, during the communication session, an operationalcondition of the communication network; deciding to switch, when theoperational condition of the communication network meets a firstcondition, the first media codec technology to a second media codectechnology; switching, after deciding to switch, transmission of thefirst media content of the communication session to use the second mediacodec technology; and selectively signaling, via the communicationnetwork, the switching to the second media codec technology, wherein theselectively signaling includes: determining a type of the secondcommunication node; and conveying, based on the type of the secondcommunication node, the switching to the second communication node. 2.The method of claim 1, further including: storing, in a memory, a listof a plurality of network operational conditions and correspondingcodecs to be used; and determining the second media codec technologybased on a nearest match in the list to a current operational conditionof the communication network.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein when itis determined that the type of second communication node can seamlesslyoperate through codec switching, then refraining from signaling theswitching.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the operational condition ofthe communication network includes at least one of a network bandwidthavailability, a network delay condition and a network packet error ratecondition.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring theoperational condition of the communication network includes monitoringan end-to-end trip delay between the first communication node and thesecond communication node.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theswitching includes performing, for a transition duration, concurrenttransmission of the first media content using both the first media codectechnology and the second media codec technology.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein a value of the transition duration is a function of a type ofthe second communication node.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thesignaling includes sending a control message using a data packet withoutincluding the first media content in the data packet.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the signaling includes sending a control message usinga data packet that includes the first media content in the data packet.10. At least one non-volatile computer-readable memory carryinginstructions, which when executed by a first communication node, causesthe first communication node to send media packets to anothercommunication node over a communication network, comprising:establishing a communication session from the first communication nodeto the second communication node, wherein the first communication nodeand the second communication node are communicatively coupled to eachother over the communication network; transmitting a first media contentfrom the first communication node to the second communication node,wherein the first media content is encoded using a first media codectechnology; monitoring, during the communication session, an operationalcondition of the communication network; deciding to switch, when theoperational condition of the communication network meets a firstcondition, the first media codec technology to a second media codectechnology, wherein the deciding to switch includes: maintaining ahistory of codec switching times; and ensuring that no two consecutivecodec switching occurs closer than a minimum switching time apart fromeach other; switching, after deciding to switch, transmission of thefirst media content of the communication session to use the second mediacodec technology; and selectively signaling, via the communicationnetwork, the switching to the second media codec technology.
 11. The atleast one non-volatile computer-readable memory of claim 10, theinstructions further include instructions for: storing, in a memory, alist of a plurality of network operational conditions and correspondingcodecs to be used; and determining the second media codec technologybased on a nearest match in the list to a current operational conditionof the communication network.
 12. The at least one non-volatilecomputer-readable memory of claim 10, wherein the selectively conveyingincludes: determining a type of the second communication node, andconveying, based on the type of the second communication node, theswitching to the second communication node.
 13. The at least onenon-volatile computer-readable memory of claim 10, wherein the switchingincludes performing, for a transition duration, concurrent transmissionof the first media content using both the first media codec technologyand the second media codec technology.
 14. The at least one non-volatilecomputer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein a value of the transitionduration is a function of a type of the second communication node. 15.The at least one non-volatile computer-readable memory of claim 10,wherein the signaling includes sending a control message using a datapacket without including the first media content in the data packet. 16.A first communication node configured to receive media packets from asecond communication node, the first communication node comprising: aplurality of media codec technology decoding modules; at least oneprocessor; and at least one memory comprising instructions configured tocause the at least one processor to perform a method comprising:establishing a communication session between the first communicationnode and the second communication node, wherein the first communicationnode and the second communication node are communicatively coupled toeach other over the communication network; loading a first module for afirst media codec technology; receiving a first media content at thefirst communication node from the second communication node, wherein thefirst media content is encoded using the first media codec technology;monitoring, during the communication session, an operational conditionof the communication network, reporting, from the first communicationnode, the operational condition of the communication network to causethe second communication node to switch the first media codec technologyto a second media codec technology; receiving, from the secondcommunication node, a signal indicative of the switching to the secondmedia codec technology; upon receiving the signal, unloading the firstmodule and loading a second module for the second media codectechnology; and processing, upon receiving the signal, the media contentof the communication session by using the second media codec technology.